POLICY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

2026 legislative agenda

The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii's 2026 legislative agenda focuses on key policies that drive economic growth, support workforce development, and strengthen local businesses—aligning with our 2030 Blueprint for Hawaii’s long-term prosperity. These bills prioritize initiatives that enhance business competitiveness, invest in talent pipelines, and foster innovation to ensure a resilient and thriving economy for the future.

Travel & Tourism

SB1299 and HB2211: Requires the HTDC to establish and implement projects to assist small businesses related to the tourism sector with technology enablement. Appropriates funds.

SB3049 and HB2601: Establishes the Trade-Oriented Production Capacity Grant Program within DBEDT to support one-time capital investments that expand the State’s manufacturing and production capacity for trade. Provides grants for equipment, automation, and facility improvements that directly increase output, efficiency, and competitiveness for eligible businesses, with required private-sector matching funds.

SB3228 and HB2602: Establishes the sustainable tourism infrastructure matching grant program within DBEDT to support one-time capital investments that advance measurable sustainability and climate resilience outcomes within the state’s visitor industry.

Military & Defense

SB3240 and HB2235: Appropriates moneys to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism through the Military Affairs Community Relations Office to strengthen intergovernmental coordination for military and defense activities.

SB3217 and HB2520: Updates the research tax credit rules so businesses can claim credits without considering prior years’ expenses and raises the annual cap on total credits certified by DBEDT.

SB1503 SD1 HD1:Updates the research tax credit rules so businesses can claim credits without considering prior years’ expenses and raises the annual cap on total credits certified by DBEDT.

HB1205: Funds the Workforce Development Council to create and implement programs that diversify and expand Hawaii’s defense-related workforce in IT, cybersecurity, intelligence, data science, and advanced manufacturing.

21st Century Agriculture

SB3258 and HB2595: Formulates the Regional Agricultural Feasibility and Food Systems Production Studies Working Group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to coordinate region-specific crop and agricultural production analyses.

SB3233 and HB2495: Recognizes agricultural workforce housing as a scored public benefit, leveraging existing state authority to address workforce housing constraints through a practical, incentive-based approach.

SB3256 and HB2496: Establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Transportation Assistance Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, including a reimbursement program for farmers facing high transportation costs and a grant program for small-scale or rural producers. It creates the Hawaii Agricultural Transportation Assistance Special Fund.

Small Business

SB3048 and HB2215: Adds a permanent staff position to the State Building Code Council to improve permitting transparency, modernize building codes, and standardize training for permitting officials.

SB3165 and HB2583: Creates the Hawaii Micro-Lending Credit Enhancement Program within DBEDT to expand micro-loans for small businesses by covering first losses.

SB3227 and HB2410: Directs the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to set state goals and advance economic diversification through innovation and technology. It funds programs supporting small business innovation, manufacturing, and training.

Economic Action

SB3285 and HB2515: Creates a temporary “regulatory sandbox” program within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to test new, flexible rules for building workforce housing.

SB3046 and HB2212: Creates a nonrefundable tax credit for employers who hire eligible interns and apprentices, starting in tax years after December 31, 2026

SB3047 and HB2470: Integrates financial literacy instruction into existing public high school courses starting in the 2027–2028 school year. It also directs the Board of Education to provide teacher training.

SB3170 and HB2411: Creates the Hawaii Employer-Led Sector Partnerships Special Fund, managed by DBEDT, to support employer-led, demand-driven Sector Partnerships. It directs DBEDT to coordinate with the Workforce Development Council.

SB2666 and HB1872: Launches the Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program, administered by UH, to provide financial support for early learning program providers participating in approved apprenticeship programs.

MARITIME

SB3050 and HB2416: Directs Honolulu Community College, with state agencies and maritime employers, to study and design a statewide apprenticeship pathway for ages 16–24 and report recommendations to the Legislature.